Attachment to cash registers and the like



Oct. 19 1926. 1,603,452

E. o. COLLINS ATTACHMENT TO CASH REGISTERS AND THE LIKE Filed March '19.192;

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Quorum Patented Oct. 19, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELBA O. COLLINS, OF CHILLICOTHE, OHIO.

ATTACHMENT TO CASH REGISTERS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed March 19, 1923.

This invention relates to signalling attachments for cash registers andthe like for use in case the cashier is held up.

The object of the invention is to provide 5 an attachment ofthis'character operable by a combined drawer opener and electric switchcloser so constructed that pressure on a button willSlnllllilitllGOllSlY close a switch and open a cash drawer, register,vault door, or the like, and also energize a circuit having anelectro-magnet therein which opens a valve and releases asphyxia-tinggas which is discharged adjacent the closure opened by the pressure ofthe button whereby a person adjacent the closure will be overcome.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodimentof the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scopeof what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The accompanying drawings represents a diagrammatic view of a cashregister equipped with this improved attachment.

In the embodiment illustrated, a cash register of ordinary constructionis represented at 1, although obviously this mav be a cash drawer, vaultor the like and which is equipped with a plurality of push buttons 2, 3,4i and 5 arranged in the usual manner and which are designed to bedepressed for opening the drawer.

The push button 5 is located in an electric circuit having a switch 6which when closed by the pressure of the button completes a circuit fromthe battery B or other source of electricity through a signal 7 locatedat any desired point and which may be in the form of a horn, light, bellor otherwise and another signal 8 located at the police station. Thiscircuit also includes an electro-magnet 9 which when energized, operatesthrough its armature 10 a link 11, and a lever 12 to open a valve 12which controls the outlet from a tank 13 containing an asphyxiating gas.A pipe 14 leads from this tank 13 and Serial No. 626,113.

in which the valve 12 is located and eX- tends to a point adjacent thecash register 1 having an extension 15 located adjacent the cashregister drawer and provided with a plurality of spaced openings 16through which gas is discharged and which is designed to suffocate orrender unconscious a person in the vicinity of the container to beprotected.

From the above description it will be obvious that ordinarily thecashier operates one of the buttons 2, 3 or 4 to open the cash drawer,but should he be held up by an unauthorized person and required to openthe cash register, he will depress the button 5 which will close theswitch 6 and simultaneously with the opening of the register close thecircuit in which the signals 7 and 8 and the electro-magnet 9 arelocated, thereby notifying the police headquarters, also signallingother persons at any desired point and turning the gas from the tank 13which will overcome the burglar or holdup man and cause his arrest.

Various changes in the form, shape, proportion and other minor detailsof construction may. be made without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the principles of the claimed invention.

I claim In combination with a cash register and one of the keys thereof,a tank for containing fluid under pressure, a pipe communieating withthe tank and having one end thereof disposed at a point adjacent to thecash register, said pipe havinga plurality of outlet openings, a valvemember for controlling the passage of fluid through the pipe, asolenoid, a rod connected with the valve and having connection with thesolenoid, to move the valve when the solenoid is moved, an electriccircuit for controlling the passage of electric energy through. thesolenoid, and a switch controlled by the key of the cash register tocomplete the circuit when the key is forced inwardly to open the drawerof the cash register.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto atfixedmy signature.

ELBA o. COLLINS.

